Direct Payment Services

The London Borough of Croydon has successfully concluded the procurement process for its Direct Payment Services contract under the health and social work services category, identified by the CPV code 85000000. The procurement process, conducted through an open procedure as per the PCR 2015 regulations, has led to the contract award to Kingston Centre for Independent Living Ltd. This contract was tagged with the "award" and "contract" stages and signed on 2nd June 2025, with a significant contract value of £2,289,900 for a 10-year term.

The procurement process was managed electronically via the Croydon Tenders Portal, and the competitive tendering attracted a total of seven bids, five of which were from SMEs. The service is to be delivered in the region of Croydon, UKI62. This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses, particularly those in the health and social care sectors.

A pivotal factor in the contract award was a balance of quality (60%) and price (40%), favouring businesses that can demonstrate high standards alongside competitive pricing. Companies like Kingston Centre for Independent Living, an SME, exemplify that small to medium-sized enterprises can successfully secure high-value contracts. This procurement process highlights the scope for firms specialising in direct payment services to substantially grow by aligning with local authorities' requirements and demonstrating service excellence and cost efficiency.